Editor's Note: This article is about the controversial topic of legalizing homosexual marriage. I highly recommend that you discuss this topic with your parents prior to and after reading this article. In addition, when responding in the BBS, please remain respectful and appropriate. I trust that all of us will be able to remain kind and decent when voicing our opinions. Thank you, and read on...

"We cannot accept the view that Amendment 2's prohibition on specific legal protections does no more than deprive homosexuals of special rights. To the contrary, the amendment imposes a special disability on those persons alone. Homosexuals are forbidden the safeguards that others enjoy or may seek without constraint"
- Justice Anthony Kennedy of the Supreme Court

According to http://www.bidstrup.com, more than half of all people in the United States oppose homosexual marriage, even though three fourths are supportive of homosexual rights. Here in the United States, people are guaranteed a few basic rights: the right of speech, petition, religion, press, and assembly. Granted, there are a few exceptions to the rule. Basically, these rules are pretty much solid.

Now, in the Bible, Leviticus references homosexuality. While the Bible does not condone homosexuality, many churches and parishes will make their own interpretation. Some allow homosexual marriage, while other churches will not. This may be one of the government's reasons not to support it.

But wait, what was that? I thought we had freedom of religion? The real question is, where does the line for the separation of church and state lie? The Supreme Court just told two courthouses to take down monuments of the Ten Commandments because they were inside of the courthouse, violating the division of church and state. So, why is it that homosexuals can't wed? Aren't church and state separated? Do the Amendments really stand true to what they say? Can we really have freedom of religion? Granted, the government can't make everybody happy, but if people have freedom of religion, and are allowed to have their opinions, why can't we follow through on certain things?

Nobody knows exactly how many Americans follow various religions, it's all an estimate taken in with polls. This data is slightly unreliable, because it is sometimes kept a secret. Different groups, you see, have diverse definitions for membership. For these reasons, a large percentage of people refused to reveal their religion. This, however, is what I got from http://www.religioustolerance.org:

76.5 % of all American adults are Christian (52% Protestant; 24.5% Catholic)
14.1 % do not follow any organized religions (They are Agnostics, Atheists, Humanists, Secularists, or have no religious affiliation.)
1.3% are Jewish
.5% are Muslim
.5% are Buddhist
.4% are Hindu
.3% are Unitarian Universalists
.1% are Neopagan (being Druids, Pagans, Wiccans, etc)

In 1989, Denmark became the first country to legalize same-sex partners as married couples, but they were not allowed in churches. Norway, Sweden, and Iceland followed Denmark's example in 1995. The Netherlands became the first country to offer full civil marriage rights to same-sex couples in 2001. In 2003, Belgium did the same.

In June of 2005 Spanish Members of Parliament voted in favor of allowing same-sex couples to marry and adopt children. Germany has allowed same-sex couples to register as "life partners" since 2001. This law only gives the couples the same inheritance and tenants' rights as heterosexual married couples.

In 1999, France instituted the civil contract called "Pacs", giving some rights to couples, regardless of gender. However, they do not include full rights of marriage, notability over taxes, inheritance, and adoption. In 2004, a mayor conducted the country's first gay marriage, which was later nullified by a court. In Luxembourg, a law based on the French law was introduced in 2004. Finally, in Britain, legislation which is due to take effect in December, 2005 will give same-sex couples in "registered partnerships" similar rights to married couples, but only in areas such as pensions, property, social security, and housing.

As you can see, not very many countries have legalized same-sex marriages, and many countries, such as the U.S. have yet to accept it and take action upon it. Should America follow suit with these countries and allow same-sex couples to have those same rights as heterosexual couples? Share your thoughts and opinions in the BBS!

This is PixiBritt, off to look for facts on another controversial topics
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Author's Note: I really did try not to sound biased. Sources: http://www.religioustolerance.org and http://www.bidstrup.com